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Writer's pictureAdam Clark

How Your Furnace Can Dry Out Your Indoor Air.

Having a brand-new furnace doesn’t mean that you should immediately turn it on. If your new furnace isn’t vented properly, it could end up drying out the air inside your home. A dry indoor environment is not only uncomfortable but can also lead to health problems, such as asthma and lung disease. Fortunately, there are several things you can do to prevent this from happening. Read on to learn more about how your heating system can dry out your indoor air.


How Your Furnace Can Dry Out Your Indoor Air

The basics of a heating system and how it works

First, it’s important to know a little bit about the parts of your furnace. The furnace itself is called the “heating unit,” and it contains the furnace’s burner. The furnace’s air intake and exhaust fans are located behind the furnace where the air is pulled through the unit and then pushed out into your home through ductwork called “supply ducts” or “return ducts.” The supply ducts lead directly to your main “return” air duct, where the air is then pushed through your home’s ventilation system to get outdoors. Inside your home, the exhaust fans on the ductwork push the hot, humid air from your home’s ventilation system back outside through your “return” air duct. Your furnace does most of its cooling when the air outside is cooler than the air inside. For example, in the summertime, this cooler outdoor air makes it easier for your furnace to cool your home. Your furnace also uses hot water to heat water in your water heater, which is why you may see a series of hot water pipes running in your ductwork. Once the hot water leaves your home’s water heater, it’s warm enough to be used for many purposes, including space heating.


Ventilation is key to keeping your furnace from drying out the air

There’s a lot of misunderstanding around furnace air conditioning and ventilation. Many people think that their furnace is a giant air conditioner, and there are even companies that claim to install “central air conditioners” inside furnaces. This is not the case! Your furnace does need good air conditioning, but it doesn’t need to “cool” the air. Any time you add a fan to a system, you’re creating more air turbulence. This is why you need to keep your house cool enough so that it’s below 78°F inside. Your furnace does need ventilation, and it does need fresh air. The warm, humid air from inside your house escapes through your return ductwork and enters the outside world, where it’s free to be replaced by cooler outside air. If your furnace is not actively pulling this air through your ductwork, however, it will start to dry out. Eventually, the air inside your house will start to become too dry, and you’ll begin to notice various problems.


Protect yourself and your family from dusty dry air with proper exhaust and intake

There are a few things you can do to keep your furnace from drying out the air inside your home. First, make sure that your furnace is receiving enough outside air. Make sure that your supply ducts aren’t clogged, and that your return ductwork isn’t too small or too large. You may need to get your ductwork cleaned or have it enlarged. Your furnace should also be receiving proper ventilation. Your furnace should be pulling fresh outside air through its ventilation system, and the air should be pushed out of your home’s ventilation system by your furnace, which should be actively cooling your home. Ensure that your ventilation system is properly venting your home’s air.


Don’t use humidifiers in your home

Adding a humidifier to your home is a great way to add moisture to your indoor air. However, it’s also a great way to add mold and bacteria to your home’s air, which could then cause you to suffer from allergies and asthma. When you use a humidifier, make sure that the water it’s using comes from the outside. Don’t add water from your home’s water heater to the water coming out of your humidifier. If you notice a bit of condensation forming on the outside of your water heater, you’re using the water too much. Keep in mind that adding a humidifier is not the same as venting your home’s air. The humidifier is simply adding water to the air, which is not the same as removing the air itself. If your humidifier is adding too much moisture, you may need to get your air conditioning system running faster, or install a dehumidifier.


Check your filters regularly to keep mold, dust, and other allergens out

Finally, make sure that your filters are regularly being replaced. The standard of living is getting a lot more complex, and indoor air quality is a lot worse than it used to be. It’s important to make sure your filters are regularly being replaced. It’s also important to make sure that your furnace is properly venting. Your furnace should be pulling fresh air through its ventilation system, and the air should be pushed out of your home’s ventilation system by your furnace, which should be actively cooling your home. Your furnace should also be actively removing dust, pollen, and other allergens from the air. This means that it’s using a blower that’s blowing air through a filter that’s removing dust, pollen, and other allergens from the air. If your furnace is not doing this, you may have a problem.


Wraps are a great way to prevent static & humidity buildup on floors

Wraps may be a little more expensive than a normal vent, but they’re worth it. They can be used on almost any type of ductwork, whether your vents are metal, plastic, or fiberglass. They’re also very easy to install, and they don’t require any ductwork to be changed. They’re especially useful for preventing static and humidity buildup on floors. They work by pushing warm, humid air from the furnace through the ductwork, and then outside through your roof, instead of allowing it to cool down and be absorbed by your floor. If you have hardwood floors, this could be a big deal, as the warm, humid air could leave a ring behind on your floor. These wraps can prevent this from happening while keeping your furnace running efficiently.


Conclusion

Your heating system is a critical part of your home’s energy infrastructure, and it needs to be well-maintained. From regular furnace maintenance to proper ventilation, and filters, keeping your furnace healthy will prevent it from drying out the air inside your home. If your furnace is not properly venting the air inside your home, it could put you at risk for dry, dusty air. And this may be especially true for those with older, less-efficient units. There are a few things you can do to prevent this from happening, including making sure that your furnace is receiving enough ventilation and that it is properly venting indoor air.



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